UofSC unveils its official tartan

'Old Cocky'

It's official, Carolina has a registered tartan.

Students, alumni and fans of the University of South Carolina have a new way to don
the university’s garnet and black and show their spirit. University officials unveiled
its official tartan, a plaid design called “Old Cocky” Wednesday (March 26) on the
university’s Horseshoe.

The university’s tartan was made official by the Scottish Register of Tartans, which maintains a database of designs aimed at protecting, promoting and preserving
tartan.

“This is an historic time at the University of South Carolina. The tartan – in garnet,
black and white – will further represent the positive values of the university, its
students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community,” said Marianne Bickle, a retailing professor. “The tartan products bring Gamecock spirit to the community.
But let us remember, a portion of all sales from the university’s tartan products
purchased from Collegiate Tartan Apparel website go toward USC student scholarships.”

Bickle along with a class of retailing students in the College of Hospitality, Retail
and Sport Management, led the charge for Carolina to be among the few universities
granted a registered tartan.

In 2013 Bickle and her students worked with the university to have students and alumni
choose the tartan from three designs created by Collegiate Tartan Apparel. The Old
Cocky design won and was officially registered this winter. Products that range from
apparel and accessories to tailgating items are available through Carolina’s Barnes
and Noble University Bookstore and Addam’s University Bookstore. The complete line
of products, which includes kilts and skirts, is available online at Collegiate Tartan Apparel. A number of better men’s stores and gift shops in the state will be added as tartan
retailers this year.

Carolina joins 40 colleges that have registered tartans, including six from the Southeastern
Conference. SEC colleges include Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Dean Brian Mihalik also spoke at the tartan launch, which include a tartan-clad Cocky, bagpipers and
array of tartan products, some given away and others sold.

Mihalik said the official tartan is a testament to the Gamecock brand and to Bickle
and her students who helped secure the tartan.

"The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management continues to be a campus
leader in providing academic opportunities that enhance the experience of students
by integrating learning within and beyond the classroom,” said Mihalik. “The Tartan
Plaid initiative, led by department of retailing chair Dr. Marianne Bickle, fits this objective
perfectly by giving students the opportunity to move a retail product from a conceptual
idea through manufacturing to distribution to sales. The department of retailing’s
portion of the profits from this joint venture will go to support unit scholarships,
a win-win for all.”

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